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 JAVEAMIGOS.COM: First
and foremost, how do you think the season went overall?
KENNY:
I've got no complaints; we finished where we deserved.
We were too inconsistent throughout the season to make
a real challenge for the play-offs and this is something
that we will be working hard to address for the next
campaign. We have to be harder to beat and learn how
to win games when not playing well. We didn't take any
points from CE Alberic and Muro CF, both of whom finished
in the play-off zone, which was hugely disappointing.
However the attitude of the players can't be questioned;
we just lack qualities in certain areas of the pitch.
J:
There were a number of injuries and absences that
seemed to affect the side in the middle third of the
season?
K: We had Julio Ivorra, Javi, Pablo and
Alex Cuadrado out for a large part of the season and
Ruben Pla played at 80% fitness. However it was
difficult to bring other players in to fill those gaps
because of the financial implications. Aside from the
injuries, I also felt that losing James Lindie
and Dan Harvey just before Christmas (both returned
to Southend United after their loan period ended) left
us very lightweight for a few games. James and Dan were
decent players and both contributed to our decent
early season form so it was no surprise that we dipped
when they returned to the UK.
J:
There were some fans who accused the team of being too
negative at times.
K: Our mentality is to win
every game. With the attitude of the players we have
at CD Javea it would have been impossible to have asked
them to play negative football. Everyone is entitled
to their opinions but I can assure the fans that the
players are always reminded to be positive in their
play.
J:
What about the other main cause for concern - the use
of substitutions? Some say that we should use them earlier
in the game?
K: Again, everyone has an opinion
on this. Throughout the last season we changed players
at half-time and sometimes it worked (Javi v Picassent
CF) whilst other times it didn't (Carlos Ribes v AC
Carlet). Nothing is guaranteed but over the course of
the season you do hope to have made better decisions
than not.
J:
So what about Group III? How has it compared to Group
IV?
K: I've been very impressed with the standard
of the stadiums in Group III; EMFU L'Alcudia for example has
a terrific ground for playing football. I actually prefer
Group III as I feel it is more competitive with better
grounds and less travelling. However it's not all rosy:
UD Beniganim had a horrific pitch by far whilst the
changing rooms at UD Canals left a lot to be desired!
J:
So which teams would you pick out for a special mention?
K:
CD Olimpic were a very difficult team to play
against away from home. They have quality in every position
but offensively they were a bit special. I thought the
home game against UD Oliva was a terrific game of football
played at a very high tempo that somehow ended goalless!
On the other side of the coin, CD Llosa on the first
day of the season were a nightmare. Another Southend
lad Tom Hopkins had come on as a late substitute and
got spat in the face at least three times. Their players
had lost complete control and it all went off after
the game. We won 2-0 but the experience still leaves
a bad taste in my mouth.
J:
And next season? Who would you tip for the play-offs?
K:
CD Javea! I will be very disappointed not to be involved
in the play-offs next year. However, for that to happen,
we all need to be pulling the same direction, both on
the pitch and off it, especially in the boardroom and
on the terraces. It is amazing what an impact the crowd
can have on their own team, both good and bad. I think
we've been unlucky with the weather this past year which
has dampened the spirits on more than one occasion but
until the stand gets a roof we will always have
that problem.
J:
Onto the players, they are a good bunch of lads?
K:
All the players were a pleasure to work with from the
first day of pre-season to the very last match at Tavernes
and I feel that we have a good atmosphere amongst the
squad all season under some very difficult circumstances.
As I said, consistency has been our major problem which
we will be working hard to address for the comin season;
we have to be harder to beat and learn how to win games
when not playing well. Without a doubt, Scott has been
the most improved player. When he first arrived at the
club he was very raw but he has always had a terrific
attitude, especially in training. He has shown me that
he has a determination to succeed through hard work
and he will always be the first to say that
there is still a lot more to come from Scott. Jorge
Ruiberriz is by far the loudest; you certainly know
when he has arrived! Juanito has a dodgy dress sense;
he is, after all, from Benidorm so I think he buys all
his clothes from the street stalls on the beach
front. The worry is that he really thinks he looks good.
J:
And lastly, who would you love to bring back to the
club if money was no object?
K: Puncho. He gave
us an edge and scored his quota of goals - is he available?!
In my first season, Ruben Pla was also an excellent
player for us. I enjoyed working with both players.
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